How does Shasta Lake's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Shasta Lake (82 mg/L) is 69 mg/L softer than average.

Shasta Lake Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

82mg/L

Moderately Hard

4.8 grains per gallon

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.004 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

196.9 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.22

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

82mg/L as CaCO₃Moderately Hard

0–60

mg/L

Soft

61–120

mg/L

Moderately Hard

121–180

mg/L

Hard

180+

mg/L

Very Hard

Appliance Damage Report

In Shasta Lake, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Shasta Lake	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	7.6 yrs	8.5 yrs	-11%
Washing Machine	10.7 yrs	12 yrs	-11%
Water Heater	13.4 yrs	15 yrs	-11%

Regional Water Comparison

How Shasta Lake compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Shasta Lake, California	82 mg/L	0 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	reservoir
Redding, California	78.1 mg/L	122.5 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	river
Anderson, California	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Red Bluff, California	≈ 120–179 mg/L	25.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Chico, California	122 mg/L	4.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Shasta Lake compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Shasta Lake	82 mg/L	🟡 Low
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Shasta Lake's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 196.9 mg/LpH: 7.5

The City of Shasta Lake Water Utility provides drinking water to the community of Shasta Lake in Shasta County, California. Their main water source is Shasta Lake, also known as Lake Shasta, a large reservoir on the Sacramento River system operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Water from the lake goes through treatment at the city's facility before being sent to homes and businesses.

Shasta Lake is situated in the northern Sacramento Valley watershed. It's fed by the Sacramento River and other streams that drain the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada foothills. The geology in this area is dominated by Mesozoic granitic and metamorphic rocks, part of the Sierra Nevada batholith. These rocks release minerals into the water, giving it a moderate mineral content.

Homeowners might notice some scaling on appliances and fixtures over time due to the mineral content, but it's usually not a major issue. Most households won't need a water softener for this supply, though some residents in areas with slightly higher mineral levels might opt for a point-of-use treatment system. The City of Shasta Lake's water is considered safe, meeting all EPA health standards with a reported Quality Score of 90/100, and the utility actively monitors for any contaminants.

Geology & Source: Mesozoic granitic and metamorphic rocks; moderate mineral content

Other California Water Reports

Redding

78.1 mg/L

🟡 Moderately Hard

Anderson

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Red Bluff

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Chico

122 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shasta Lake's water safe to drink?

Yes. Shasta Lake's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is 82 mg/L (Moderately Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Shasta Lake?

Shasta Lake's water is moderately hard at 82 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does Shasta Lake compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Shasta Lake (82 mg/L) is 69 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Shasta Lake is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.